Big 12 Quick Hits - Week 1 (Krista Pirtle's Blog)

Since converting to the spread offense under Mike Leach in 2000, Tech has averaged 40.6 points per game over the course of 14 season openers. During that same time span, the Red Raider defense has held opponents to an average of 16.8 points per game.

Offensively, Texas Tech returns its starting quarterback in Davis Webb, along with 53 percent of its receptions from last season and 77 percent of its rushing yards. Jakeem Grant is the top returning receiver for the Red Raiders with 65 catches for 796 yards and seven touchdowns.

Central Arkansas' offense returns all but three starters from last year's 7-5 team. Dezmin Lewis leads a deep wide receiver unit that saw 17 players catch at least one pass.

UCA defensive end Jonathan Woodard led the Southland Conference with eight sacks a year ago.

Iowa State vs. North Dakota State 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 (FS1)

North Dakota State was picked No. 1 in the Preseason Sports Network poll after winning the past three straight FCS titles. North Dakota State is on a 24-game winning streak and has defeated a FBS opponent in each of the past four seasons - Kansas (2010), Minnesota (2011), Colorado State (2012) and Kansas State (2013).

The last time North Dakota State lost to a FBS school was to Iowa State in 2009 (34-17). That's the only meeting between the two of them. It was also ISU coach Paul Rhoads's first game at Iowa State.

The Cyclones' strengths offensively are at offensive line with six returning starters and wide receiver with six of the top seven back this year.

Mark Mangino recently took over as offensive coordinator and installed the spread offense. Rhoads recently announced Sam Richardson as the starter for Saturday's game.

West Virginia vs. Alabama 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 (ABC)

First meeting between the two teams.

West Virginia is loaded in the backfield with Dreamius Smith, Wendell Smallwood, Dustin Garrison and Andrew Buie.

Alabama returns 13 of its starters from last season.

Since the start of the 2009 season, no defense has allowed fewer touchdowns than Alabama (91 touchdowns in 67 games).

Oklahoma vs. Louisiana Tech 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30

· First meeting between the two teams.· Louisiana Tech is 0-20 against AP Top 25 Teams dating back to 2000 and has lost 14 straight when held to 20 points or less.· Over the last four games of 2013, the Sooners had six touchdowns on defense or special teams.· Oklahoma has won 31 straight games (7-0 in 2013) when allowing 21 or fewer points dating back to Nov. 2009.

TCU vs. Samford 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 (FSN)

· First meeting between the two teams.· Samford is coached by Pat Sullivan who was TCU’s head coach from 1992-97. He led the Horned Frogs to the 1994 Southwest Conference championship.· TCU returns nine starters from a defensive unit last season that led the Big 12 in run defense (130.8 yards per game) and was No. 2 in the league in total defense (356.4 yards per game).· In seven of their eight losses, including against five teams ranked in the top 25, the Horned Frogs had a chance to win either in the fourth quarter or in overtime.

Kansas State vs. Stephen F. Austin 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30

· First meeting between the two teams.· Kansas State finished last season strong, going 6-1 in the last seven games. During that time, quarterback Jake Waters averaged 204.7 yards per game with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Defensively, the Wildcats forced a total of 19 turnovers during that stretch (13 interceptions and six fumbles).· The Wildcats have a first-time starter at running back between sophomore Charles Jones and senior DeMarcus Robinson.· Stephen F. Austin led the FCS last year in passing offense and was second in total offense.

· Florida State holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series with the Cowboys. Oklahoma State’s lone win came in the 1958 Bluegrass Bowl 15-6.· The Cowboys have gone up against an AP No. 1 team 10 teams, most recently in 2008. They are still looking for a win.· Oklahoma State was hit hard by graduation. OSU has no returning All-Americans, no all-conference performers, no preseason All-Americans and no preseason all-conference selections. Only six players on the roster have more than 10 career starts. The rest of the Oklahoma State roster has combined for 47 career starts.· The Seminoles are led by Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Jameis Winston along with 10 other ACC preseason all-ACC first teamers.

Texas vs. North Texas 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 (Longhorn Network)

· Texas leads the series 9-0. The two last met in 2006 in a game which the Longhorns won easily 56-7.· Over his last 16 (12-4) starts, quarterback David Ash has completed 281 of 428 passes (65.7 percent) for 3,601 yards (225.1 per game) with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.· Wide receiver Jaxon Shipley is expected to play after injuring his hamstring.· North Texas is coming off a 9-4 season with a victory in the Heart of Dallas Bowl over UNLV.

Baylor vs. SMU 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31 (FS1)

· Baylor has won the past 10 games against SMU with the most recent a 59-24 victory in Sept. 2012.· This is a test for the Bears’ defense which was hit hard by graduation. All four secondary positions have new starters this year.· Despite all the distractions surrounding the first game in McLane Stadium, Baylor needs to remember it lost its last game against UCF.· SMU is without Garrett Gilbert in the pocket but Neal Burcham steps up to take the starting role after completing 58.7 percent of his passes for 556 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season.

Kansas doesn’t play this week. The Jayhawks kick off their 2014 season next week against Southeast Missouri.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for
following agreed-upon rules of civility. Posts and
comments do not reflect the views of this site. Posts and comments are
automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some
comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules,
click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.